After indulging in a night of passion, Mo Xiuchen did not forget to care for Wen Ran, who had clearly been exhausted by his intensity. Back at Yipinxuan, she and Bai Xiaoxiao had barely begun their meal before being interrupted and leaving for the private room. Since then, she hadn't eaten a thing.
Just now, after another bout of intense intimacy, she was undoubtedly both tired and famished.
Wen Ran did feel a bit hungry, but recalling the upsetting things Cheng Jia had said earlier, she knew Mo Xiuchen's foul mood had driven his fervor. Shaking her head gently, she spoke softly, "I'm not hungry. It's late—come to bed."
Mo Xiuchen smiled faintly. His large hand tenderly caressed her still-flushed cheek, his voice low and soothing as it slipped from his lips, "You don't need to worry about troubling me. I'm a little hungry myself. If you don't say what you'd like, I'll ask Aunt Zhang to bring us two bowls of noodles, all right?"
"I can't fall asleep just yet. Stay and talk with me," he added after a pause.
Wen Ran, hearing his gentle request, naturally could not refuse. She responded with a soft "Okay," and watched as Mo Xiuchen stepped away to make a call on the room's intercom, instructing Aunt Zhang to prepare the noodles.
Had it not been for his gloomy mood, he would've cooked something himself, as he usually preferred. But tonight, he just wanted to talk to her.
Returning to the bed, Mo Xiuchen stretched out his arm and drew Wen Ran into his embrace. With her in his arms, his heart felt significantly lighter.
Under the soft glow of the crystal chandelier, their silhouettes entwined. Wen Ran tilted her delicate, fair face slightly and looked at Mo Xiuchen with eyes as tender as water. "Even if what Cheng Jia said is true," she murmured comfortingly, "it doesn't mean that little girl is truly gone. Don't be too disheartened."
She still did not know the full details of Mo Xiuchen's kidnapping years ago.
Why Xiao Wenqing claimed the girl who saved him had died remained a mystery to her. All she knew was that seeing Mo Xiuchen so distressed filled her with sorrow.
He had been searching for that girl all these years, only to find someone like Cheng Jia—an imposter.
Though he said nothing, she could feel his silent disappointment.
Mo Xiuchen knew Wen Ran's words were meant to console him, but he could not simply pretend nothing had happened. If that little girl truly no longer existed, it had to be because of Xiao Wenqing.
He recalled those dark days. When he had narrowly escaped with his life, the police followed the clues he gave them—but the place was already abandoned, leaving only scattered medical supplies.
Gu Kai believed the girl to be his sister not only because of the distinctive mole under her chin, but also because of those same leftover medicines and something about her identity...
His illness had plunged him into despair for a long time. What happened afterward was something Gu Kai's father eventually told him.
"You're right," Mo Xiuchen said, voice tinged with quiet determination. "Xiao Wenqing's words may not be truth. That little girl was brave, clever, kind… heaven will surely protect someone like her."
He had dreamt of her again recently—grown up, returning to question him. How could someone like that simply vanish?
"Ranran, though Cheng Jia has admitted she's not the one who saved me, I'm still not ready to let her go."
Wen Ran gazed into his deep eyes and nodded, understanding. "I know. Cheng Jia may not be the girl from back then, but she's a pawn Xiao Wenqing raised for ten years to deceive you. Xiao Wenqing trusts her deeply. I have a strong feeling that Cheng Jia hasn't told us everything tonight."
Mo Xiuchen's eyes flickered, warmed by Wen Ran's perceptiveness. He gently clasped her soft hand and said, "Ranran, the reason I'm keeping her close is to uncover the truth about Xiao Wenqing. I've already found some clues—just not the hard evidence yet."
Wen Ran smiled lightly. "Then let her stay. With her affection for you, she'll eventually reveal what she knows. But it may take time. Cheng Jia is cunning—she won't lay all her cards on the table and make herself useless."
Mo Xiuchen agreed with her entirely. Cheng Jia certainly wouldn't confess everything in one go. Tonight, she'd only admitted two things: that she wasn't the little girl and that his mother's death involved drugs.
She hadn't even confessed to bribing that worker who dropped the brick near him—there were clearly more secrets she was hiding.
After a moment's silence, he added, "Though I intend to use her, I won't have any improper entanglements with her. You have nothing to worry about."
Wen Ran was momentarily startled. She understood Mo Xiuchen—he wasn't the type to flirt casually. That was why she never paid much mind to women who fancied him.
Hearing his words, a smile rose to her lips. In a voice as soft as a breeze, she said, "I know. I trust you. If you had any interest in Cheng Jia, you wouldn't have left her under Xiao Liu's watch that night."
She paused, then added, "At Yipinxuan, I didn't go with you to meet Cheng Jia—not because I wanted you to manipulate her feelings, but because I trust your character and felt at ease letting you speak with her alone."
A glimmer lit Mo Xiuchen's eyes at her words. The gentleness in her voice slowly unraveled the tension within him. He curved his lips into a charming smile and teased, "So I misunderstood you just now?"
Wen Ran nodded solemnly. "Of course you did. Not only that—you even got angry at me."
Pouting as she spoke, her voice carried a trace of playful accusation. Mo Xiuchen burst out laughing, all gloom dispersing. His tone turned bright and lighthearted. "Then I owe you an apology. I promise to control my temper from now on—and not get upset with you so easily."
He wasn't someone easily angered. Most of the time, he kept his emotions well hidden, be it in business or when dealing with people like Xiao Wenqing.
But around Wen Ran, he was different—sometimes even childish. He hardly recognized himself.
Wen Ran was momentarily dazed by his smile. Raising an eyebrow, she grinned mischievously. "I'll remember that. If you get mad at me again, I'll ignore you."
"Deal. If I ever lose my temper for no reason again, you don't need to pay me any mind."
Mo Xiuchen's handsome features lit up with his smile. The sharp angles of his face, usually so cold and distant, softened into something striking and magnetic. Wen Ran thought, such a noble and elegant man—of course women would be drawn to him.
The next morning, Wen Ran woke early.
For the first time, she rose before Mo Xiuchen. Carefully, she lifted the arm draped around her waist and smiled gently at his peaceful, handsome face before getting dressed and tiptoeing out of the bedroom.
An hour later, Mo Xiuchen woke to find the space beside him empty. His brows furrowed slightly. Feeling the coolness of the sheets, he knew she'd been up for some time.
The door opened, and light followed Wen Ran's cheerful voice into the room. "Xiuchen, you woke at the perfect time—breakfast is ready!"
Mo Xiuchen raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You went to make breakfast?"
"Yeah. I couldn't fall back asleep, so I went down to help. What do you want to wear? I'll get it for you."
As she spoke, she walked to the bed, her eyes twinkling as they swept over his toned chest before heading to the closet.
"Anything. I'll let you choose."
Mo Xiuchen's tone was light, his deep gaze resting on her the entire time. As long as she was in sight, he felt at ease.
She made him breakfast. She picked out his clothes. These were simple gestures he'd never dared hope for in the past. Even when he'd forced her to marry him under the pretense of helping her father's company, he hadn't expected her to treat him with such sincerity.
Men's clothing wasn't as complicated as women's. Mo Xiuchen's wardrobe was fairly standard—suits and dress shirts in two or three colors.
Wen Ran quickly selected an outfit. Mo Xiuchen dressed before her, and she tied his tie with practiced hands. In just a few minutes, the lazy, freshly woken man transformed into a poised, noble figure.
"You look amazing."
The words slipped from Wen Ran's lips unbidden. Mo Xiuchen's smile deepened, pride flickering in his dark eyes. Praise from his woman—it warmed him deeply.
He caught her hand and asked teasingly, "With such a handsome husband, don't you want to look at me every second?"
Wen Ran blinked, caught off guard. "I may not look at you every second, but we see each other all day, every day—more than enough."
Mo Xiuchen chuckled lowly. "Ranran, once your brother is discharged, you should resign and come work for me as my personal secretary. That way you can keep watch on me 24/7—no need to worry about other women catching a glimpse of your handsome husband."
"Pfft!"
Wen Ran couldn't help but burst into laughter. Her eyes sparkled, her smile bright and captivating.
"Just a glance won't hurt. Unless I lock you up all day, how can I stop women from looking?"
"No one would look if you were by my side."
Mo Xiuchen wrapped an arm around her slender waist. As they chatted and descended the stairs, Aunt Zhang greeted them warmly.
She told Mo Xiuchen that breakfast had been entirely prepared by Wen Ran—she hadn't even gotten a chance to help.
Touched, Mo Xiuchen looked at Wen Ran affectionately. "Ranran, you've worked hard."
"It's nothing. I didn't just make it for you—I plan to bring some to my brother, too."
Wen Ran chuckled. Being looked at so tenderly in front of Aunt Zhang made her cheeks flush pink with shyness.
At the hospital.
Wen Ran unpacked the breakfast she'd brought and handed it to Wen Jin.
Earlier that morning, she had called Aunt Li and told her not to bring breakfast today—she would deliver it personally.
As Wen Jin ate, he sighed, "I never thought the day would come when I'd taste a breakfast cooked by Ranran. If I'd known you had such talent, I would've sent you to culinary school long ago."
Wen Ran shot him a glare. "Cooking's only fun once in a while. Do it every day, and it becomes a chore."
After some small talk, Wen Ran told him about Cheng Jia. "Brother, yesterday Cheng Jia claimed the little girl who saved Mo Xiuchen is dead."
"Cheng Jia is spouting nonsense."
Wen Jin blurted out without thinking, but quickly caught himself, his expression shifting. Avoiding her gaze, he lowered his head and continued eating.
Wen Ran looked at him in surprise. "Brother, how can you be so sure she's lying?"
Wen Jin met her eyes again, calm and composed. "Think about it—Cheng Jia impersonated Mo Xiuchen's savior just to win his favor and become the Mo family's daughter-in-law. And as you said, Xiao Wenqing put her up to it."
Wen Ran still felt uncertain. "Yes, but Xiao Wenqing also said the girl was dead. She trusted Cheng Jia enough to wait ten years before letting her appear. Maybe that girl really is gone…"
Why else had Mo Xiuchen never found her?
Sensing her doubt, Wen Jin gently stroked her hair. "No, just because Mo Xiuchen hasn't found her doesn't mean she's gone."
Wen Ran forced a smile. "Let's hope so."
Wen Jin smiled gently and set his empty bowl aside. "Good people are always rewarded. That little girl had a kind heart—heaven will protect her."
Wen Ran nodded. She sincerely hoped Mo Xiuchen would one day find that girl and fulfill the wish that had haunted him for years.
She didn't linger long. After helping Wen Jin finish breakfast and washing the dishes, she reminded him to rest and left for work.
"Drive safe. Call me once you get to the office."
Wen Jin's voice was soft. Wen Ran smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I drive very carefully."
After she left, Wen Jin was alone in the room.
He didn't call for the nurse. Instead, he leaned quietly against the headboard. Perhaps it was the silence—but old memories flickered to life, playing before his eyes like a silent film…